QMS continues efforts to engage Westminster and Holyrood on the importance of Scotland’s red meat supply chain

In a series of visits throughout February and March, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has engaged with several key political figures to raise the profile of, and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing, Scotland’s red meat sector. As all these MPs were newly elected in the 2024 General Election, the meetings provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the vital role the red meat supply chain plays in their constituencies.

Following its successful showcase of the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork brands to UK parliamentarians at the prestigious ‘Taste of Scotland’ event at Dover House in January, QMS facilitated a series of productive sector supply chain meetings with key elected officials in Westminster. These included:

• Euan Stainbank, Labour MP for Falkirk at Campbell’s Prime Meats, accompanied by QMS Chair, Kate Rowell. Euan received a tour and a full introduction to Campbell’s business and its plans for future growth. A key topic of discussion was the current cattle numbers and their potential impact on the entire supply chain and the Scottish economy.
• Kirsteen Sullivan, Labour and Co-operative Party MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow at David Stein Butchers, with Kate Rowell and the company’s co-owner, director, and family accountant. They discussed the role of butchers and food service businesses across West Lothian, changing consumer habits, the financial pressures from the UK Autumn Budget, the workforce skills gap, cattle numbers, and current market prices.
• Chris Kane, Labour MP for Stirling and Strathallan at Stirling Agriculture Centre, with QMS Chief Executive Sarah Millar, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), ABP Food Group, and United Auctions. The discussions focused on the importance of Stirling and Strathallan to Scotland’s red meat supply chain, with the region hosting two major auction markets, ABP’s Bridge of Allan processing site, and numerous farming businesses—key hubs supporting jobs and economic activity across the region. They also addressed the financial impact of the UK Autumn Budget on businesses, as well as the effects of current cattle numbers on the supply chain.
• Lillian Jones, Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, met with Tom Gibson, Director of Business Development at QMS, and Stewart Duguid, business owner of Pollok Williamson Butchers, a member of the Scotch Butchers Club run by QMS. The discussion covered the challenges facing high street butchers, including declining footfall and skilled labour shortages, as well as current beef supply and market prices. They also explored the wider impact on the supply chain and the importance of securing multi-annual funding for Scottish farmers to ensure long-term sustainability.

Kate Rowell, Chair of QMS, commented: "The concerns arising from the Autumn Budget highlight the need for continued engagement with both UK and Scottish Government politicians and policymakers. These discussions are crucial to ensuring the long-term success of Scotland’s red meat sector. They provide an opportunity to highlight the strengths and socio-economic potential of the red meat supply chain, while also addressing the challenges ahead."

"Thank you to the MPs and businesses for their time during these productive visits. They have reinforced the importance of collaboration across the supply chain to ensure a sustainable, thriving, and positive future for red meat producers, processors, suppliers, and the communities that depend on them."

In addition to visits with Labour MPs, QMS will continue engaging with MSPs, including a farm walk and talk at Cowbog Farm in Kelso with Rachael Hamilton, Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh, and Berwickshire, hosted by Roxburgh Monitor Farmer, Robert Wilson. Key topics included the Monitor Farm programme, which has now reached its halfway point, the benefits of EID tags and readers, positive changes to reduce winter housing costs, and the impact of the current beef market on the wider supply chain.

Rachael Hamilton said: "My conclusion is that more politicians must participate in these types of visits to better understand the issues they will be legislating on, ensuring that pragmatic decisions can be made."